Greybeard

With the recent news on the Duncan guy, who used to live in Fargo, my memory went back to the Dru murder. I live in the Twin Cities, so I don't get all the ND news coverage. My question: What was the official reason why the trial was delayed so long? My understanding is it will not be held until next March, March of '06. How can this make any sense? Was this strictly a defense motion to let public passion (the jury pool) quiet down?